Sheila_Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com Nail Polish Remover Illegal in Garbage & Drains Hazardous Waste Sheila_Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com Completely empty plastic bottles are accepted for recycling. Please empty bottles in the recycling container. Hazardous Waste Collection Nail polish remover needs special handling to avoid toxic exposure for waste workers, the community, and the environment. City Specific Disposal OptionsPlease check with your city page (residential or commercial) to confirm if additional options are available, such as home collection, drop-off locations, and/or events. (These options vary per city.) Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-OffYour city or county may offer HHW drop-off sites and collection events.– Los Angeles County: S.A.F.E. Collection Centers and events– Riverside County– San Bernardino County– Ventura County Disposal Options For BusinessesHazardous waste cannot be placed in your containers. Schedule a Special Waste Collection by emailing [email protected] or calling Athens’ Customer Service Department at 888-336-6100. Fees may apply. Some HHW drop-off centers may allow drop off by small business generators (check links above). Don’t Dump Down the Drain The EPA considers nail polish remover to be hazardous waste, and it needs to be disposed of as such. To keep waterways clean, never dump it down the drain. Keep Away From Heat Most nail polish removers contain acetone, which is highly flammable at room temperature, even when it evaporates into the air. Keep acetone away from heat, open flame and anything that may cause a static or electric spark. Ways to Reduce Remove Polish Without Acetone You can remove nail polish without using acetone, which is a harsh chemical. It may take a little extra time, but it can be safer for you and the environment. Check out this list of household products you can remove polish with instead. Ways to Reuse Use Up Leftover Polish Remover Nail polish remover can be used in many ways, from cleaning dirty keyboards to scuffed vinyl flooring to stained porcelain. Check out more ideas for repurposing nail polish remover. Did You Know? Why So Cold? Acetone, the chemical in traditional nail polish remover, feels cold on your skin because of the speed at which it evaporates. Evaporation draws heat out, leaving a cold feeling behind.